Privacy notice

We would like to set cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy. If you're OK with this then please accept and continue. Alternatively you can control which cookies are set via our cookie settings page.

We strongly welcome the publication today of new guidance on abortion care by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) which aims to improve access to safe, high-quality abortion care.

The guidance comes at a time of rising unplanned pregnancies to women aged 30 and over. During the last decade, abortion rates have been steadily increasing for women in this age group. Abortion rates to women in any age group increased by 4% since 2017, and the number of abortions is now the highest on record.

Dr Asha Kasliwal, President of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH), said:

“The new guidance is a very welcome step forward to ensure that women have access to safe, consistent and high-quality abortion care, which is an essential part of Sexual and Reproductive Health care.

“We are pleased to see that the guidelines present recommendations which we have previously called for, including the right of women to self-refer directly to services and to choose the clinically-appropriate method that suits them better.

“The recommendation for providers to offer women with an initial appointment within one week of requesting one, and the actual procedure within one week of the appointment will help improving waiting times, which is of essence for this type of care.

“In line with our Personal Beliefs Guidance, it is encouraging to see a clear recommendation that, for those in training programmes which include abortion care provision, that this is undertaken unless the individual opts out due to their conscientious objection.

“Another recommendation we have fully supported throughout the development of the guideline is for commissioners and providers to ensure the full range of contraceptive options is available for women in abortion care clinics, and that providers ensure healthcare professionals have the knowledge and skills to provide them.”

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) is the largest UK professional membership organisation working at the heart of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), supporting healthcare professionals to deliver high quality care. It works with its 15,000 members, to shape sexual reproductive health for all. It produces evidence-based clinical guidance, standards, training, qualifications and research into SRH. It also delivers conferences and publishes the journal BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health in partnership with the BMJ.

Filter news

About FSRH

FSRH is a faculty of the Royal College of the Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
It was established on the 26th March 1993 as the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care.
Our specialist committees of SRH doctors and nurses work together to produce high quality training programmes,
specialist conferences and events, clinical guidance and other SRH learning resources